Software:Swarm (2011 video game)

From HandWiki
Swarm
Cover art
Developer(s)Hothead Games
Publisher(s)Ignition Entertainment
Composer(s)Marc Baril[1]
Platform(s)PlayStation 3 (PSN),
Xbox 360 (XBLA)
ReleasePlayStation 3
  • NA: March 22, 2011
  • EU: March 30, 2011
Xbox 360
March 23, 2011
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Swarm is an action-platform video game developed by Hothead Games and published by Ignition Entertainment for PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network and for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade. The setting revolves around a flock of 50 blue bipedal creatures, dubbed swarmites, and their quest to collect DNA in order to save their race. The player controls the swarmites as a collective, but each swarmite has individual intelligence meaning interaction between the player and the swarm is always dynamic.

Critics generally felt the game was unique and that it featured impressive artificial intelligence. They also praised the game's dark humor, most notably for the different ways the swarmites can die. Some critics expressed frustration at the game's difficulty level. As of June 2011 the Xbox 360 version had reached 13,000 in sales, while the PlayStation 3 version showed numbers nearing 2,000 during the game's first month.

Synopsis

The game begins by showing a pulsing blue blob arriving on a mysteriously war-torn and devastated planet. It plants itself into the ground and extends a wriggling tentacle. Out of the tentacle emerge 50 swarmites — small, blue, bipedal creatures who always move together in a pack, or swarm. The swarmites go in search of DNA, which the swarmites feed back into the blob to help it grow. The blob eventually transforms into a humongous swarmite referred to by the other swarmites as "momma".[2]

Gameplay

In Swarm the player controls a group of swarmites which work as a collective to achieve goals.

Swarm is an action-platform game in which the player controls up to 50 characters known as swarmites who operate as a collective to achieve their goals. The objective is to reach the end of the level with at least one swarmite remaining.[3] Throughout the levels are health packs which will restore the swarmites' numbers to 50. The levels also contain checkpoints which serve as the point where players will resume play if they lose all 50 swarmites.[4]

Points are earned by collecting strands of DNA found throughout the level. Some strands can only be collected by having several swarmites and using them collectively to retrieve the strand. The swarmites can huddle together for strength and speed boosts, stack on top of one another to reach high obstacles, and jump as a group to reach certain areas.[4] All of the swarmites are controlled both individually as well as in a collective; each swarmite has their own unique AI that interacts with other swarmites and the commands given by the player. Swarmites will dynamically walk around objects and obstacles, each choosing their own path based on player commands.[citation needed]

Development and marketing

Swarm began life as a submission to the Great Canadian Video Game Competition held by Telefilm Canada. The game was chosen as one of four finalists, and Hothead Games received $300,000 in order to fund further production on the game.[5] It sprang from AI research by Dr. Mike Hayward, who was doing PhD research on how artificial life would interact one with another when given a task. "We were trying to enter an indie developer contest back in 2006, and Mike pitched this idea forward" stated producer Joel DeYoung.[citation needed] Lead Designer Pete Low stated that one of the biggest challenges was designing the camera controls to be able to accommodate all 50 swarmites.[citation needed] Each swarmite in the swarm is controlled by individual AI.[citation needed] The group does not have a leader, but instead interact with each other dynamically. "The idea is it's supposed to feel like controlling a flock of fish" stated Dr. Mike Hayward, who designed the AI.[citation needed] The game features leaderboards and in addition the PlayStation 3 version includes a live tally of the sum of all swarmites killed by players.[6]

On June 17, 2010 Ignition Entertainment announced they would publish the title.[5] The platforms for the game were announced November 18, 2010; the game would come to the PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network and to the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade.[7] The game was completed in January 2011 and entered the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network submission process.[3] It was later announced the developers were looking for a March 2011 release date.[8]

To promote the game developer Hothead Games released several YouTube videos which discussed the gameplay and advertised the game. Four videos belong to a series entitled Ask Dr. Mike, in which Dr. Mike Hayward, designer of the AI, explains the dynamics of the game.[citation needed] Hayward and different co-hosts discuss how the swarmites interact with one another and their environment, how players can complete tasks within the game, and how players can reach high scores.[citation needed] Two viral videos were also released. The first was to promote the game's launch in Europe and depicts a young girl coloring pictures of swarmites. The girl soon turns violent on her drawings and the video shifts to show gameplay of the destruction of swarmites.[citation needed] The second depicted a fictional situation regarding workplace diversity and the recent hire of a swarmite.[citation needed] Avatar awards were also announced in March 2011 and consist of a swarmite pet and a swarmite hat for the player's avatar.[citation needed]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS3Xbox 360
DestructoidN/A7.5/10[11]
Edge6/10[12]6/10[12]
EurogamerN/A8/10[13]
Game Informer7.25/10[14]7.25/10[14]
GameSpot7.5/10[15]7.5/10[15]
GameZone7.5/10[16]N/A
Giant BombStarStarStar[17]StarStarStar[17]
IGN8.5/10[18]8.5/10[18]
JoystiqStarStarStar[19]N/A
OXM (US)N/A7.5/10[20]
PSM7/10[21]N/A
Push Square5/10[22]N/A
MetroN/A5/10[23]
Aggregate score
Metacritic71/100[9]69/100[10]

Swarm received above-average reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website [9][10] Colin Moriarty of IGN stated "the entire package has a slick coat of polish on it."[18] One of the game's lower scores came from Ludwig Kietzmann of Joystiq, who felt that the PlayStation 3 version was "a good idea in need of better executions."[19]

Multiple critics praised the game's dark humor. David Sanchez, reviewer for GameZone, stated "the little blue Swarmites are completely stupid, and they have a ridiculous charm to them that makes you want to see them meet their demise."[16] Sanchez further noted that seeing the swarmites die was "strangely satisfying and totally hilarious."[16] Moriarty called the swarmite deaths "saddening and necessary," but added that players will "never grow tired of seeing it happen."[18] Ben Reeves of Game Informer also enjoyed the game's humor, but felt that there was not enough variety to keep a player's interest. "It may be fun to watch these little guys die, but there were too many moments where I wanted to kill the power to my console."[14]

GameSpot's Nathan Meunier felt that it had an excellent scoring mechanic and that the rewards for killing swarmites were clever. He did not, however that the game had an "occasionally brutal" difficulty level and that it was too short.[15] Reeves also agreed that the game had a high difficulty curve. He stated that "it can feel like a chore to master some of the later levels".[14] The reviewer from Edge magazine echoed other critics' comments in regard to difficulty, "Swarm will provide a stern test of both skill and patience."[12] The reviewer for PlayStation: The Official Magazine felt that a stronger focus on simply clearing the levels could have been utilized, but noted that it was still a "surprisingly challenging—and splattering—good time."[21] Official Xbox Magazine's Cameron Lewis praised the games light-hearted attitude, sharp graphics and control scheme. He further noted that an "emphasis on constant scoring keeps the action trucking at a steady clip."[20]

In its first two weeks the PSN version sold over 4,200 units.[24] The Xbox Live Arcade version sold over 7,700 units in the same time frame.[25] As a technology demo game won the People's Choice Award at the 2007 Arcadia Festival.[26] As of June 2011 the Xbox 360 version had reached 13,000 in sales,[27] while the PlayStation 3 version showed numbers nearing over 2,000 during the game's first month.[28] Year-end 2011 sales for Xbox Live Arcade version exceeded 20,000 units.[29]

References

  1. ↑ "Credits". http://www.marcbaril.com/EN/credits.php. 
  2. ↑ Hothead Games (March 22, 2011). Swarm. UTV Ignition Entertainment. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Quick Look EX: Swarm". Fandom. January 14, 2011. https://www.giantbomb.com/shows/quick-look-ex-swarm/2970-14886/free-video. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Long, Tara (January 20, 2011). "Swarm will warm its way into your heart". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/swarm-will-warm-its-way-into-your-heart/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Caoili, Eric (June 17, 2010). "Hothead, UTV Ignition To Release Swarm". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/hothead-utv-ignition-to-release-i-swarm-i-. 
  6. ↑ Platform32 (January 25, 2011). "Swarm Preview ft Joel DeYoung and Pete Low - Feature - Platform32". Google. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhoP2qGIEcE. 
  7. ↑ McElroy, Griffin (November 18, 2010). "Hothead's Swarm mindlessly waddling to XBLA and PSN". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2010-11-18-hotheads-swarm-mindlessly-waddling-to-xbla-and-psn.html. 
  8. ↑ Gilbert, Ben (February 3, 2011). "Swarm converging on March launch". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2011-02-03-swarm-converging-on-march-launch.html. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Swarm for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/swarm/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Swarm for Xbox 360 Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/swarm/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  11. ↑ Devore, Jordan (March 30, 2011). "Review: Swarm (X360)". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-swarm/. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Edge staff (March 22, 2011). "Swarm Review". Edge (Future plc). http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/swarm-review. Retrieved March 5, 2023. 
  13. ↑ Reed, Kristan (March 25, 2011). "Download Games Roundup". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/download-games-roundup-review-4. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Reeves, Ben (April 2011). "Swarm Review". Game Informer (GameStop) (216): 96. https://www.gameinformer.com/games/swarm/b/ps3/archive/2011/03/22/live-free-and-swarm-hard.aspx. Retrieved March 22, 2011. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Meunier, Nathan (March 31, 2011). "Swarm Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/swarm-review/1900-6306672/. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Sanchez, David (March 28, 2011). "Swarm Review (PS3)". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/swarm-review/. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Navarro, Alex (March 24, 2011). "Swarm Review". Fandom. https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/swarm-review/1900-370/. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Moriarty, Colin (March 24, 2011). "Swarm Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/24/swarm-review. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Kietzmann, Ludwig (March 25, 2011). "Swarm review: Tough crowd (PS3)". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2011-03-25-swarm-review.html. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Lewis, Cameron (April 2011). "Swarm review". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 80. http://oxmonline.com/swarm-review. Retrieved March 5, 2023. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Review: Swarm". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (44): 85. April 2011. 
  22. ↑ Barker, Sammy (April 5, 2011). "Swarm Review". Gamer Network. https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psn/swarm. 
  23. ↑ Jenkins, David (March 31, 2011). "Swarm review – screaming blue murder (X360)". Metro (DMG Media). https://metro.co.uk/2011/03/31/swarm-review-647747/. 
  24. ↑ Langley, Ryan (April 20, 2011). "In-Depth: PlayStation Network Sales Analysis, March 2011". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/in-depth-playstation-network-sales-analysis-march-2011. 
  25. ↑ Langley, Ryan (April 14, 2011). "In-Depth: Xbox Live Arcade Sales Analysis For March 2011". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/in-depth-xbox-live-arcade-sales-analysis-for-march-2011. 
  26. ↑ "Hothead Games' Swarm! Wins "People's Choice Award"". September 23, 2007. http://www.hotheadgames.com/blog/?p=65. 
  27. ↑ Langley, Ryan (July 22, 2011). "In-Depth: Xbox Live Arcade Sales Analysis, First Half Of 2011". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/in-depth-xbox-live-arcade-sales-analysis-first-half-of-2011. 
  28. ↑ Langley, Ryan (August 10, 2011). "In-Depth: PlayStation Network Sales Analysis, April - June, 2011". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/in-depth-playstation-network-sales-analysis-april---june-2011. 
  29. ↑ Langley, Ryan (January 20, 2012). "Xbox Live Arcade by the numbers - the 2011 year in review". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/xbox-live-arcade-by-the-numbers---the-2011-year-in-review. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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